Hooten Young Cigars has named Allison Trainer as its Vice President of Sales Tobacco Division and Consulting. Hooten Young is a veteran-owned American Whiskey and Cigar Company. The company created its whiskey and cigars as a tribute to those who served in the Armed Forces. Trainer was most recently the Brand Manager for Vintage Rock-A-Feller […]
Cigar News: PCA Names Antoine Reid Director of Content
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments News, PCA, People
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has announced today it has hired Antoine Reid as its Director of Content. In this new role for the organization, Reid will be responsible for overseeing content creation and production for PCA’s various platforms. The PCA says Reid’s primary focus to begin will be creating new digital content, updating the […]
Cigar News: Mary Szarmach Elected to PCA Executive Committee
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments News, PCA, People, Premium Cigar Association
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today that Mary Szarmach, Sr. V.P. Governmental & External Affairs at Smoker Friendly, has been elected as the incoming secretary on the PCA Executive Committee. Her term will begin July 11, 2023, at the PCA board meeting during the annual Convention and Trade Show. “It is I truly an […]
Cigar News: Elvis Batista Departs Blackbird Cigars
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Blackbird Cigars, News, People
Elvis Batista has announced he has stepped down as Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Blackbird Cigars in order to pursue other opportunities. In an email communication, Batista said: “I’m very grateful to have worked with the Blackbird Cigar team in helping build its current sales and marketing structure and to have had to […]
Cigar News: CAA Names Brian Fojtik SVP of Government Relations
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments CAA, News, People
The Cigar Association of America (CAA) today announced Brian Fojtik has joined the organization as Senior Vice President for Government Relations. In this new role, Fojtik will be responsible for helping to develop and implement state and federal legislative strategies and policy initiatives, as well as managing CAA’s 46 state lobbyists and the federal lobbying […]
Cigar News: Siegfried Maruschke Sr. Passes Away
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Jose Mendez & Co, News, People
Siegfried Maruschke Sr., the owner of the large tobacco growing and brokerage operation Jose Mendez & Co S.R.L. in the Dominican Republic, passed away on January 29, 2023. He was 83 years old. Maruschke’s father-in-law, Jose “Pepe” Mendez was the founder of the company. Mendez left Cuba following the Cuban Revolution of 1959 and would […]
Cigar News: Sergio Montolfo Passes Away
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments Kretek International, News, People, Phillips & King
Sergio Montoflo, who served as the Executive Vice President of Operations at Phillips & King, passed away suddenly on January 28, 2023. Montfolo, who was recently promoted to Executive Vice President had over a 25-year career at Phillips & King, a subsidiary of Kretek International. He had become one of the most respected and beloved […]
Cigar News: Premium Cigar Association Names Lisa Sigler Membership Development Director
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments News, PCA, People
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has announced it has hired Lisa Sigler as its Membership Development Director. In her new position as Membership Development Director, Sigler supports the development and growth of the Association. She is responsible for assisting with the membership and trade show departments, and overall sales initiatives. “We have gotten to a […]
Cigar News: J.C. Newman Cigar Co Promotes Kara Guagliardo to Executive Director of Hospitality of Community Engagement
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments JC Newman, News, People
J.C. Newman Cigar Company has announced that Kara Guagliardo has been promoted to Executive Director of Hospitality of Community Engagement. In her new role, Kara leads J.C. Newman’s team that welcomes visitors to its historic El Reloj cigar factory in the “Cigar City” of Tampa, Florida. Guagliardo joined J.C. Newman’s marketing department 12 years ago […]
Cigar News: United Cigars Adds Dan Davison as Director of Marketing
William Cooper Cigar News No Comments News, People, United Cigars
United Cigars has added Dan Davison as its Director of Marketing. Dan comes to United Cigars with ten years of experience in all aspects of the cigar industry from both sides of the counter. “I’m honored & excited to join United Cigars, our brands have a rich history with more stories to tell,” said Dan […]